Carbide is recyclable for tungsten content. Most production shops accumulate 50-500 lbs/year of used inserts — money sitting in scrap bins.
What Recyclers Pay (2026 typical)
- Carbide inserts: $5-15/lb (varies with tungsten market)
- Solid carbide tools (drills, end mills): $8-20/lb (more pure tungsten)
- HSS tools: $0.50-2/lb (much less)
- Carbide grinding sludge: $1-3/lb
Major US Recyclers
- Tungsten Heavy Powder & Parts (Indiana) — Largest US carbide recycler
- Buffalo Tungsten (NY) — High-grade tungsten products
- HC Starck Tungsten (Worldwide) — Direct-to-manufacturer pricing
- Federal Carbide — Smaller but flexible
Collection Best Practices
- Separate carbide from steel scrap (use dedicated bins)
- Don’t mix coated and uncoated (some recyclers pay differently)
- Don’t mix with brazed (brazed has steel body, lower yield)
- Drain coolant and dry before storage (prevents corrosion in storage)
- Store in 5-gallon buckets or steel drums
Sorting Categories
| Category | Pay Rate |
|---|---|
| Solid carbide drills/end mills (clean) | Highest ($10-20/lb) |
| Indexable carbide inserts (used) | $5-15/lb |
| Brazed carbide tools | $2-5/lb (steel body) |
| Carbide drilling/grinding sludge | $1-3/lb |
| HSS / mixed | $0.50-2/lb |
Pickup Logistics
Most recyclers send a pre-paid shipping label or schedule pickup once you accumulate 50-100 lbs. Some pay on receipt; others batch and pay monthly. Get pricing in writing before shipping.
Tax Implications
Recycling income is reportable. Most recyclers issue 1099 for amounts over $600/year. Track your shipments.
For cutting tools to refresh your inventory, browse our insert catalog.
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